Ruth Ernestine Barnhart, 88
Ruth Ernestine Barnhart, 88
Ruth Ernestine Barnhart was reunited in Heaven with her husband Ernest and granddaughter Rachel on Tuesday, February 23 following a brief illness. Ruth was born to Elber and Frances Johnson on February 13, 1933 at the family home in Salisbury Township, Ohio.
In addition to her husband, Ernest Dale, and granddaughter, Rachel Danielle Bailey, Ruth was preceded in death by her parents, mother-in-law and father-in-law, Elsie and Dale Barnhart, brother-in-law, Steven Barnhart, sister-in-law, ZoAnn Barnhart, and a nephew, Todd Johnson.
Left to remember her are her daughter, Cheryl (Rodney) Bailey, brothers, Maurice (Margaret) Johnson of Ludowici, Georgia and John (Karen) Johnson of Charlotte, North Carolina. Also left to cherish the memory of their Nanny are two grandchildren, Renee (Brent) Buckley and Shellie (Colton) Stewart. In addition she is survived by two great-grandchildren, Hunter and Grace Buckley, whose Great Nanny dearly enjoyed the company of and they her kind, delicate touch. Lastly, Ruth is survived by many nieces, nephews, great-nieces and great-nephews and a great many who considered her a friend.
Ruth grew up and spent most of her adult life in the area of the world that lies between Rutland, Middleport and Bradbury. She met the love of her life while working as a carhop at Bailey’s Drive-In and was united in marriage with Ernie on December 24, 1950. They were married for 27 years before Ernie’s untimely passing. Nanny once said that she believed you only had one true love, she had found hers, and together they had the best 27 years.
She spent her adult life working out of her own home as the owner of Ruth’s Beauty Shop in Bradbury. Ruth retired from her business after 40 years of loving and caring for the community. Of note, Ruth’s kind heart and delicate hands were certainly attributes that folks came to appreciate about their time with her. She spoke glowingly of her efforts as a beautician and was proud of the life that it provided her and her family. In addition to her work as a beautician, Ruth would tell you that her life’s passion was raising her daughter, granddaughters and great-grandchildren – a craft at which she most certainly excelled. Ruth was also a member of the Bradford Church of Christ and attended Middleport Church of Christ with her family and friends.
Private services for Ruth will be held March 1, 2021 at Anderson McDaniel Funeral Home in Middleport, Ohio with Pastor Al Hartson officiating. Pallbearers will be John Johnson, Rodney Bailey, Brent Buckley, Colton Stewart, and Larry Ball. In lieu of flowers, the family respectfully requests that donations be made in Ruth’s memory to Middleport Church of Christ, c/o Teri Hockman, Treasurer, 437 Main Street, Middleport, Ohio 45760. If you prefer, please commit random acts of kindness for one another in memory of one of the best.
